Colourful Anne of Green Gables Coin Highlights Royal Canadian Mint's Second Launch of 2008 Products

Ottawa, Ontario, April 16, 2008 – The Royal Canadian Mint is pleased to announce that adoring fans of Anne of Green Gables can now purchase the widely anticipated 25-cent collector coin bearing the colourfully painted image of the spirited heroine created by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery exactly 100 years ago. Coin collectors and gift givers alike can also look into the Mint's newest offerings to find other exciting products, such as a triangular silver 50-cent Milk Delivery Coin, whose green enamel effect mimics the colourful variety of the milk tokens of our past, a new $4 silver dinosaur collection coin featuring Triceratops, the latest addition to the 99999 pure gold provincial flowers series, the first-ever fine silver edition of the popular gold Historical Commerce series, honouring agriculture, and a set of fun magnetic Vancouver 2010 Winter Games sports coin pins.

"Beginning with the vibrant Anne of Green Gables coin, the latest series of numismatic and gift products offered by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrate distinctly Canadian themes in brilliant colour, fine craftsmanship and skilful innovation", said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "The diversity and creativity of these products are sure to appeal to a wide audience, in Canada and around the world".

The following describes some of the featured products that are now available:

Also celebrating its centennial this year, the Royal Canadian Mint is thrilled to share this anniversary with the legendary Anne Shirley, the beloved heroine of Anne of Green Gables. Since 1908, this celebrated novel has won the hearts of readers all over the world. Now, an oversized, nickel-plated steel 25-cent painted coin, bearing a portrait by accomplished illustrator Ben Stahl, will win over coin collectors and Anne of Green Gables memorabilia hunters alike. While supplies last, the coin will retail for a suggested $19.95 CDN.

2008 50-CENT TRIANGLE COIN – MILK DELIVERY

The innovation continues as Canadian heritage is presented in a new light by a coin evoking the myriad shapes and colours of milk tokens, a popular collectible when dairy products were delivered directly to Canadian homes. True to the shape of the token which inspired this unique coin, the Mint has struck its very first triangular coin. Made of sterling silver, its reverse is finished in a translucent green enamel-like finish.

Limited to a mintage of 25,000, this visually striking coin retails for a suggested $49.95 CDN.

2008 DINOSAUR COLLECTION – TRICERATOPS

The selectively oxidized Dinosaur Collection four-coin series continues with its second instalment: the 2008 $4 Silver Triceratops Coin. Celebrating Canada's wealth as a source of world-class dinosaur fossils, one of the most identifiable reptilians of pre-history is showcased in striking realism on this innovative coin. Only 20,000 coins, with a suggested retail price of $39.95 CDN, are available world-wide.

2008 $20 FINE SILVER COIN – AGRICULTURE TRADE

A fixture of the Mint's 22K $200 gold coin line for several years, the Historical Commerce collection is expanding to its first-ever rendition in pure silver. The attachment of Canadians to the land and the horse's relationship to our agricultural heritage is celebrated once again in a proof-quality coin featuring the same elegant design as its gold sibling, Thornhill, Ontario artist John Mardon's depiction of an early Canadian farmer plowing a field with the help of two majestic draft horses. Limited to a mintage of 10,000, it is composed of 99.99% pure silver and retails for a suggested $69.95 CDN.

2008 $350 PURE GOLD COIN – PURPLE SAXIFRAGE

The 11th in a series started in 1998, Nunavut's official flower, the purple saxifrage, which blooms briefly but impressively every spring as wide expanses cover exposed ridges and hilltops as the long cold winter comes to a welcome end. This newest edition to Canadian floral emblems is honoured in the finest numismatic gold coin in the world, made of 99.999% pure gold. The reverse of this exquisite coin was designed by artist Celia Godkin of Frankville, Ontario. Proposed at $1,676.95 CDN, this coin is limited to a worldwide mintage of 1,400.

2008 1/25 OZ GOLD COIN – DE HAVILLAND BEAVER

The smallest gold coin ever produced by the Mint makes it possible for many collectors to own a fine coin crafted from this increasingly precious metal. In 2008, the 1/25 oz 99.99% pure gold coin is struck with the image of the famous De Havilland Beaver. A testament to Canada's "can do" spirit, this plane which helps conquer the Canadian North is back as an enduringly popular numismatic theme. With a reverse designed by Toronto artist Peter Mossman, this coin is limited to a world-wide mintage of 20,000, each proposed at $85.95 CDN.

2008 25-CENT COIN – DOWNY WOODPECKER

Corresponding with the latest instalment the Canadian Wildlife Federations' "wildly" popular Hinterland Who's Who vignettes, the Mint honours the Downy Woodpecker on a painted 2008 25-cent coin. Instantly recognizable by the hammering sound it makes when perforating tree trunks in search of its next meal, the image of this woodland noisemaker appears in full colour thanks to artist Arnold Nogy of Coldwater, Ontario. This coin is limited to a worldwide mintage of 25,000 and is available at the suggested retail price of $24.95 CDN.

2008 CANADA DAY KID'S ACTIVITY AND COIN SET

The Mint prepares to celebrate Canada's birthday with its eighth Canada Day Coloured 25-cent coin. The coin displays a cool moose wearing patriotic red for this most special occasion. The 2008 Canada Day coin is housed in an activity set featuring a maze, word find and Sudoku-type games, as well as four temporary tattoos perfect for Canada Day celebrations. This activity and coin set retails for a suggested $15.95 CDN.
The Mint is also introducing a perennial favourite among collectors: a 25-coin roll of 50-cent pieces in a limited quantity commemorative paper wrap. Only 6,000 of these special rolls are being offered at a suggested retail price of $19.95 CDN.

VANCOUVER 2010 MAGNETIC PIN AND SPORT COIN

As the countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games continues, the Mint has put a new spin on two traditional hobbies: pin trading and coin collecting. This inventive gift product consists of a pin enamelled in the official colours of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and a circular magnet designed to hold a 25-cent circulation coin commemorating Canada's next Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Customize your pin by combining it with your favourite sport coin. This unique gift is being offered with one of six popular Canadian winter sports: ice hockey; alpine skiing; freestyle skiing; snowboarding; curling, and figure skating. Apply these or any other Olympic or Paralympic themed circulation coin you find in your change to display your spirit for the Games!

All of the Mint's products are available directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint's global network of dealers and distributors.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2000 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint's history, its products and services, please visit www.mint.ca.

Images and product details of the Mint's newest collection are available by visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.

You can be assured that the Mint fully guarantees the superior quality and craftsmanship of its products. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can simply return it to us in its original packaging within 30 days and we will gladly offer you a replacement (subject to product availability) or send you a full refund. In the case of a defective product, we will accept the return up to one year from the date of purchase.